C2 1966. 3 speed confusing

[Keith W.]

Reading NA book page 327 under trans - is says there were major changes in the base trans for 1966 - as Chevrolet introduced a HD 3 speed transmission.
Also see JM page 173 section 10A case #3858986 (no mention of HD trans here)

Question
Does that mean that all base engines fitted with a 3 speed are the new GM HD style - I have a Dec 65 car ?
Or standard Saginaw

Thanks Keith

[Donald H.]

Re: C2 1966. 3 speed confusing

Don't know if this helps, but Colvin's Corvette by the numbers, he writes:

The 1965 Saginaw transmission......... Unfortunately, this transmission fell short in that it still was not fully synchronized. This led to a newly designed Saginaw transmission for 1966.

The 1966 Saginaw 3-speed was a new design, fully synchronized in all forward gears. Heavy duty features of the transmission include wide helical gears, larger synchronizers, and higher capacity front and rear carrier bearings.

Also per this book, the 65 maincase is 3864740 or 3854726. The 66 maincase is 3858986. From this I would assume that if the maincase is 3858986 then it is likely the trans is the "new" 66 version.

[Keith W.]

Re: C2 1966. 3 speed confusing

Don
Appreciate the reply, will check out the transmission numbers next time I pull her out.
Cheers Keith

[James G.]

Re: C2 1966. 3 speed confusing

A good friend owned a 1966 yellow / black 3 speed with air conditioning. It was VIN # 7899. Body D30 (Tuesday Nov 30,1965) A-2439
A.O. Smith Body #2439
Trim : std 984 Sunfire Yellow


Options:
327/300hp engine
air conditioning
full tint windows
3:36 positraction
power windows
hard top
soft top
CC group back up lights / day night mirror
WW Tires
AM/FM radio
Power antenna


Dealer order copy and copy of original title is still with the car.


This car was ordered by Evan Ross Johnson who was a San Diego, CA, resident on assignment with his company Hartle Enterprises of Henderson Nevada and lived in Las Vegas, NV.

A rarity of the 3 speeds is in 1966, this car is it is one of only 300 convertibles made in 66 with air conditioning. 3520 air cars were built in 66 or 12.9% of the total, but few were put into convertible cars.

[Keith W.]

Re: C2 1966. 3 speed confusing

Jame appreciate sharing that information
My car is
Vin 8385
block 3858174
engine pad blank
tacho 5,500 red line
Base engine
3 speed manual
Smith E code - Dec 65 - 03 day Dec 3rd
A-2644 body
no radio fitted / ordered / radio delete
trim sunfire yellow 984 - std

Best regards Keith

[Tom D.]

Re: C2 1966. 3 speed confusing

Keith - I don't doubt the no radio situation you report. In fact, I have seen real no radio cars with a gob of "factory body filler" applied from under the bottom of the antenna hole, which apparently was then smoothed off on the top. Does your Corvette body have this?

Any other comments on a filled antenna hole on a factory no radio midyear?

[Dan A.]

Re: C2 1966. 3 speed confusing

A good friend owned a 1966 yellow / black 3 speed with air conditioning. It was VIN # 7899. Body D30 (Tuesday Nov 30,1965) A-2439
A.O. Smith Body #2439
Trim : std 984 Sunfire Yellow


Options:
327/300hp engine
air conditioning
full tint windows
3:36 positraction
power windows
hard top
soft top
CC group back up lights / day night mirror
WW Tires
AM/FM radio
Power antenna


Dealer order copy and copy of original title is still with the car.

An interesting car for sure.

I must point out that the Z01 Comfort and Convenience option was not offered in the 1966 and 1967 model years.

Backup lights were standard equipment for the 1966 model year. All '66s have them.

As for the Day Night mirror, it was not offered as a factory installed option in 1966. It was available as a dealer installed option though.

For 1967 the day Night Mirror became standard equipment as was the backup light over the license plate opening.

[Tom D.]

Re: C2 1966. 3 speed confusing

An neighbor and friend still has photos of his three speed '67 yellow conv. He almost killed himself in it, back when he was 23.

He claims it had the L79 350 HP engine, but with a three speed transmission?

[Keith W.]

Re: C2 1966. 3 speed confusing

Keith - I don't doubt the no radio situation you report. In fact, I have seen real no radio cars with a gob of "factory body filler" applied from under the bottom of the antenna hole, which apparently was then smoothed off on the top. Does your Corvette body have this?

Any other comments on a filled antenna hole on a factory no radio midyear?

Tom - As you know 1,337 corvettes came without a radio in 1966 - at the moment the corvette is in transit from NYC - as soon as I have a chance to inspect it / crawl over it I will report back / repost - Thanks Keith

[David B.]

Re: C2 1966. 3 speed confusing

It appears the replies on this thread have gone off a little on answers to the question.
Not a lot of interest in 3 speeds in '65 and '66 which would explain the lack of information. Reference to Saginaw 3 spd. case # 3858986 peaked my interest in digging into some old files acquired years ago. Found 2 sets of 3 speed prints: Saginaw and Chevrolet/Borg-Warner.
Print #1 marked Saginaw 3 spd. unfortunately had only 1 frame of original 2. It listed this transmission as assembly part # 3858985. The extension shown on this trans print does not show any provision for mounting a shifter which would seem to indicate it was not intended for a Corvette.
Print #2 The Chevrolet/Borg-Warner print was hand written marked as '66 HD 3 spd. and listed as Transmission & Extension assembly part # 3864919 (BW # ASI-T16B) The extension had all the necessary provisions for mounting the shifter. The ratios are: 1st 2.411 2nd 1.565 & 3rd 1.
I would suggest a close examination of trans to identify what is actually in your car. Look at any ID numbers that are present. If you need any assistance in interpreting the prints give this information.

[Keith W.]

Re: C2 1966. 3 speed confusing

It appears the replies on this thread have gone off a little on answers to the question.
Not a lot of interest in 3 speeds in '65 and '66 which would explain the lack of information. Reference to Saginaw 3 spd. case # 3858986 peaked my interest in digging into some old files acquired years ago. Found 2 sets of 3 speed prints: Saginaw and Chevrolet/Borg-Warner.
Print #1 marked Saginaw 3 spd. unfortunately had only 1 frame of original 2. It listed this transmission as assembly part # 3858985. The extension shown on this trans print does not show any provision for mounting a shifter which would seem to indicate it was not intended for a Corvette.
Print #2 The Chevrolet/Borg-Warner print was hand written marked as '66 HD 3 spd. and listed as Transmission & Extension assembly part # 3864919 (BW # ASI-T16B) The extension had all the necessary provisions for mounting the shifter. The ratios are: 1st 2.411 2nd 1.565 & 3rd 1.
I would suggest a close examination of trans to identify what is actually in your car. Look at any ID numbers that are present. If you need any assistance in interpreting the prints give this information.

David / appreciate your time to reply and detail - once I get the 66 up on ramps will document and feed back - thanks again - regards Keith

[Tom I.]

Re: C2 1966. 3 speed confusing

I ran across my 1966 Chevrolet chassis service manual which provides information on the three speed Saginaw and the Warner new HD T16 transmissions. A figure exists showing the linkage setup for the Saginaw trans. A picture of the side cover exists for the Saginaw which shows seven 7 bolts and a flat bottom on the cover. Another picture shows the Warner side cover with 9 bolts and a round bottom. I do not know if adds clarification or confusion as I have not seen either of these transmissions personally so please take this into consideration.
Tom I.

[Gene M.]

Re: C2 1966. 3 speed confusing

I did not realize the 66 three speed had provisions for shifter mounting. My 3 speed 65 definitely does. But we worked on a 3 speed 67 and it did NOT have mounting provisions for shifter. It was mounted to the sheet metal brace same as a 4 speed. The 67 3 speed weighted all of the same as a Muncie 4 speed if not more.

[Michael M.]

Re: C2 1966. 3 speed confusing

I have quite a few pictures of the Saginaw that came originally in my '67 if anyone is interested. There was no provision for shifter mounting (shifter mounted to cross-member bracket), 3858986 main case, 3919365 side cover, , unique back-up light switch. No VIN stamp, only Saginaw date code (S7E11).